First time I've seen these artists impressions from Wrenbridge's own site on what is being planned for Bircherley Green. They are of a higher definition and quality than has previously been let loose on the residents of Hertford.

You will note how the buildings blend almost imperceptibly into the rich historic and architectural heritage of this ancient market town. And how the river wall has been completely renovated. Good luck with that one!!

Hertford celebrates the fact it has so many rivers in all of the tourist literature it produces but if you came to Hertford you would be hard pressed to find one - unless you actually ventured over the far side of Hartham or managed to slip down the secret passageway next to Starbucks that only us residents know about. OK , I am exaggerating slightly - but the fact is that we have a once in a lifetime opportunity to open up the river front and make it into a "feature" of our town. Instead this proposal lines up yet another block of flats on the riverbank and gives pride of place to the car park.

If we don't speak up now, this is what we will end up with until our children get the chance to remodel in 50 years time.

I posted the link to Wrenbridge's new drawings because I still trawl the internet with odd search strings to find if there is anything going on that no one has told me about. The source code for the page indicates that the drawings were loaded on or about June/July 2015. The strange thing is Wrenbridge have gone very quiet of late. Perhaps they meant what they said when they wrote to East Herts councillors before the first approval in April stating that if the plans were approved they would walk away. It seems that they have been working behind the scenes on a new application themselves. This is what they originally said about the river:

'The regeneration of Bircherley Green offers an opportunity to reconnect the town centre with a revitalised riverfront. Our scheme aims to create both improved pedestrian links to the river, and an attractive river walkway with hard landscaping, trees and shrubs.'

The Vision and Strategy as being prepared by Tibbalds makes the regeneration of the river the core of its presentation. The degree of such might differ between them and Wrenbridge as the latter concentrate their further remarks on the number of apartments they will build.

As newgirl says you wouldn't know we had a river flowing through the town if you didn't stumble into it from Starbucks. Wrenbridge plans do not appear to redress this. On the other hand no one I have spoke to knows what is happening vis a vis Van Hages, Waitrose, Wrenbridge or Bircherley Green. We think someone does but no one has a friendly mole. Wrenbridge could come back, Waitrose may stay, Spurs may win the Premier League - who knows

There is a public meeting next week (Wednesday 2nd November, 7pm-8.30pm) at the River Room at Hertford Theatre where the developers looking to redevelop Bircherley Green will be putting forward their latest proposals to councillors and the public.
Anyone planning on attending is being asked to email communications@eastherts.gov.uk.